American Academy of Microbiology

Education Resources

Colloquia Report

The American Academy of Microbiology convenes colloquia on issues of critical importance in microbial sciences. Each colloquium brings together an invited group of scientific experts for several days of structured, directed deliberations on a specific topic. Published reports synthesize conclusions reached during these important meetings, providing analysis of the scientific issues and practical recommendations for the future. Information in colloquia reports should be considered a part of evolving framework of knowledge dependent on data available at the time of specific colloquium.

Analyzes new challenges affecting the safety of the food supply in the United States, charts directions for future research, and offers specific recommendations. Discusses factors that influence the incidence of foodborne disease, sampling and surveillance, risk assessment, and the food safety community.

While many infectious diseases are caused by human-to-human transmission, others are caused by microorganisms that exist in the outside environment. The difference between the two is the ability for environmental pathogens to survive and thrive outside the host. The report recommends that scientists from different fields work together to address the challenges presented by these environmental pathogens.

Fungi can cause a number of life-threatening diseases but they also are becoming increasingly useful to science and manufacturing every year. However, many people, scientists among them, are largely unaware of the roles fungi play in the world around us. Research on fungi and fungal diseases are seriously neglected as a result – a situation with grave negative repercussions for human health, agriculture, and the environment. The Fungal Kingdom explores the roles fungi play in the world around